Randolph Scott

format_quote Frankly, I don't like publicity. I always remember something that David Belasco said and had incorporated in the contracts of his stars. His theory was, "Never let yourself be seen in public unless they pay for it". To me, that makes sense. The most glamorous, the most fascinating star our business ever had was (Greta Garbo). Why? Because she kept herself from the public. Each member of the audience had his own idea of what she was really like. But take the other stars of today. There is no mystery about them. The public knows what kind of toothpaste they use, whether they sleep in men's pajamas and every intimate fact of their lives. When I read publicity about them, I can tell just which press agent they employ.

stars  Due to his shrewd financial investments, Scott was reportedly worth around $100 million by the end of his life.

stars  He was a right-wing Republican and one of Hollywood's biggest supporters of Ronald Reagan as governor of California.

stars  Best friends were Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, and the Reverend Billy Graham.

stars  From 1950 to 1953, Scott was among Hollywood's Top 10 box office draws.

stars  His image from his westerns as an upright, outstanding sheriff or cowboy was so strong, it was paid homage to in Mel Brooks's classic comedy Blazing Saddles (1974). When the African-American sheriff chides the reluctant townspeople that they would have helped Randolph Scott, the great western star's name is intoned by a chorus on the soundtrack and the townspeople are won over.